342 1NSECTA. 



dibles; the very short ligula is concealeil behind the mentum. The labial 

 palpi are distinctly composed of four joints, and generally pilose, as well as those 

 of the maxillae. 



This great Linna-an genus now forms various subgenera, such as Manti- 

 cora, Megacephala, &c. The true Cicindela or 



CICINDELA, Latreille, 



Are usually of a darker or lighter green, mixed with various brilliant 

 metallic tints; the elytra are marked with white spots. They prefer dry, 

 warm situations, run with considerable swiftness, take wing the moment they 

 are approached, but alight at a short distance. If pursued they have recourse 

 to the same means of escape. 



The larvae of two species indigenous to France, the only ones that have been 

 observed, excavate in the earth a deep cylindrical hole, an operation which they 

 effect with their mandibles and feet. To empty it, they place the detached 

 particles on their head, turn about, climb up the ascent little by little, resting 

 at intervals and clinging to the walls of their domicile by means of their two 

 dorsal mammillae; when they arrive at the mouth of the aperture they throw 

 down their burden. While in ambuscade, the plate of their head exactly 

 closes the entrance of their cell, and is on a level with the ground. They seize 

 their prey with their mandibles, and even dart upon it, and by a see-saw 

 motion of their head precipitate it to the bottom of the hole. Thither also 

 they quickly retreat on the least intimation of danger. If they are too confined, 

 or the soil is not of a proper nature, they construct a new habitation elsewhere. 



Such is their voracity that they devour other larvae of the same species, 

 which have taken up their abode in their vicinity. When about to change 

 their tegument or to become pupae, they close the opening of their cell 



The American Species of Cicindela are numerous and beautiful. 



The second tribe, or the CARABICI, Lat., comprehends the genus 



C ARAB us, Linnaeus, 



Where the maxilla? simply terminate in a point or hook, without an articulated 

 extremity. 



Their head is usually narrower than the thorax, or, at most, of the same 

 width ; their mandibles, those of a few excepted, have no dentations or but 

 very few; the ligula usually projects, and the labial palpi exhibit but three free 

 joints. Many of them are destitute of wings, only having elytra. They 

 frequently diffuse a fetid odour, and eject an acid and caustic liquid. Geoffrey 

 believed that the ancients designated Carabici under the name of Buprcstes, 

 insects which they considered as highly poisonous, particularly to oxen. 



The Carabici conceal themselves in the ground, under stones, chips, bark of 

 old trees, &c., and are mostly very active. Their larva have the same habits. 

 This tribe is very numerous, and forms a most difficult study. 



The Carabici are now variously subdivided. Each section consisting of 

 numerous genera. We find, 



1. The THUNCATIPENNES, so called because the posterior extremity of their 



